History of Paleo-Hebrew

Paleo-Hebrew preceded the Hebrew we use today. Paleo-Hebrew was used between 10th century BCE -- 2nd century CE, and its use decreased during the Babylonian exile when it was used mainly for writing the Tanakh. The following examples were written for a variety of reasons, some for everyday use, some considered sacred.

Talmudic sages have various opinions about Paleo-Hebrew and referred to it as ‘ktav ivrit’ some believing it was used during the Exodus.

Tel Zayit Stone

The oldest Paleo-Hebrew writing found are the Tel Zayit Stone and the Gezer Stone, both from 10th C BCE, the time of David and Solomon.

Tel Zayit Stone is a boulder inscribed with the alphabet.

Gezer Stone

The Gezer Stone is a calendar with information about the seasons and agriculture.

Samarian Stone

The Samarian Ostraca (piece of pottery) dates about 850 BCE, and was found at the palace of Ahab, King of Israel. Its information is about bookkeeping and daily receipts.

Mesha Stele or Moabite Stone

The Mesha Stele or Moabite Stone, circa 840 BCE, describes the Moabites political conflicts with the Israelites and the building projects of King Mesha of Moab. It contains the earliest known mention of the God of the Israelites outside of biblical texts.

Lachish

The Ostraca Lachish is a letter from an officer to a governor describing events leading up to the destruction of the first Temple in 586 BCE.

Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls include 12 scrolls written in Paleo-Hebrew including Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus. Dozens have the name of God written in Paleo-Hebrew. These date from 3rd C BCE – 1st C BCE.

Bar Kochba coins

Finally, the Bar Kochba coins, struck over Roman coins during the revolt against the Roman Empire, are dated 132-135 CE.

Please scroll down to see images.

Sukkah Soul Pendants

Inspired by Jewish art and motifs

Sukkah Soul Pendants

Inspired by Proto-Hebrew and Hebrew letters

Hand of G*d, Conch, Flame Pendants

Images are found in ancient synagogue mosaics.

Sefirot, Chet, Tav, Gimel Pendants

Chet, Tav, Gimel stand for three sefirot.

Zeitah Excavations and Israel Antiquities
Inscription on a stone in the wall of an ancient building from Tel Zayit (south of Jerusalem). It means first letters of Phoenician-Hebrew alphabet: (right-to-left) waw, he, het, zayin, tet. Earliest known specimen of the Hebrew alphabet dated to X B.C.

Gezer

Attribution: Ori~

Ostraca House Samaria

Mesha Stele: YHWH, the god of Israelites as mentioned in the Moabite inscription in line 18 (context: and I took from there t[he ves]sels (or [altar he]arths) of YHWH and I dragged them before the face of Kemosh). Transliteration (modern Hebrew characters): יהוה
Louvre Museum

Part of a written ostracon found in Tel Lakhish, Israel. It belongs to the famous Lakhish letters

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Jordan, Amman, Dead Sea Scroll 4Q22 Attribution: Berthold Werner

Coin from Jewish Bar Kokhba revolution. Written in Paleo-Hebrew alphabet also known as Ktav Ivri. Obverse: trumpets surrounded by "To the freedom of Jerusalem". Reverse: A lyre surrounded by "Year two to the freedom of Israel"